To be a mother is a blessing, and it is a privilege that is granted by God. The responsibility of motherhood, therefore, is great and a mother’s role is crucial in the lives of children. Motherhood is not easy, but neither is it an unpleasant burden. A mother’s love includes all the hard work and all the sacrifices made for the sake of her children. Becoming a mother is one of life’s greatest joys, and the love of a mother for her children is second only to that of God’s love for us. Especially during times of trial and tribulation, a mother’s strength is what can keep a family together and steadfast. A true test of love and faith transpires when there is a terminal illness in the family. For one small family in Australia, the test has been doubly hard and painful. Here is their story.

Sara Chivers is a young mother of two beautiful sons – 3-year old Hugh and 18-month old Alfie. Many years ago, she fought brain cancer and survived. A few months ago, she learned that the cancer had returned. Just a while after that, Sara and her husband, Leigh, learned that Alfie too has brain cancer. The news of the latter has been absolutely devastating for the young parents who know the unjustifiable suffering that little Alfie will have to endure. Sara and Alfie have two different forms of brain cancer. Doctors are of the opinion that their cases are not related, that it is a heartbreaking and grim coincidence. Alfie has started treatment and has been coping well. His mother says that “He’s a very resilient little boy.”

The young family from Melbourne, Australia, have been fighting hard. Since March 2017, Sara has undergone 3 rounds of chemotherapy, IV drug therapy, and surgery to remove the biggest tumor. The treatment has bought some time for Sara, but not quite enough for her to “mother them like I always dreamed”. So she decided to write her young boys a letter – to share words of love, wisdom and motherly advice. Her love letter to her children has been shared all around the world on the internet and has touched the hearts of millions. It was first published in Australia’s ‘The New Daily’ where you can still read the letter in its entirety.

In her letter, she shares a little about herself, telling her sons things about herself that they would have discovered by themselves but will now have to hear from others instead. She encourages them to be brave, to try their hardest at what they do and to live with conviction. She also tells them to “love hard”, for “it is better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all” saying that that is how she feels about them, her “proudest accomplishments”. She advises them to be kind to their father and to “accept and embrace his choice” when he decides to “find happiness again with a new partner.”

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Dear Sister and Brother,

1. God is in control

2. Life is not always fair, it rains on the just and the unjust…we should not compare our lives to others but focus on the plan God has for us.

3. Bad things will happen in this world, but God promised us a home in heaven if we believe in Jesus. One without sorrow, pain or death…where we never will grow old.